A couple of Russian forwards have impressed the Preds’ brass at Nashville’s development camp.
The club announced the signing of Vladislav Kamenev and Yakov Trenin to three-year, entry-level contracts on Friday.
Kamenev spent the 2014-15 season with Magnitogorsk in the KHL scoring six goals and nine points in 41 games. The 6-foot-3, 182-pound native of Orsk, Russia added three assists at the 2015 world juniors helping the Russians win a silver medal.
Originally Nashville’s second-round pick (42nd overall) at the 2014 NHL Draft, Kamenev is expected to spend the 2015-16 season playing in North America. The Quebec Remparts own the 18-year-old’s CHL rights.
Trenin (pictured) was the Preds’ second-round pick (55th overall) at last month’s draft. The 18-year-old appeared in 58 games with the Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL last season scoring 18 goals and 67 points.
“He’s a big center, who plays a solid two-way game,” Preds’ North American amateur scout J-P Glaude said in a statement. “Despite coming from Russia as a 17-year-old who didn’t speak a word of English, he averaged more than a point per game and was fantastic defensively, especially in the playoffs when he was used on the power play, killing penalties, five-on-three and three-on-five.
“I see him as a complete, top-two center that can put points on the board and the coaches will love to have because he can play in any situation.”
The 6-1, 194-pound native of Chelyabinsk, Russia will likely head back to Gatineau for the 2015-16 season.